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A 52 year old female with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) (Spinal Cord…
A 52 year old female with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Nervous System
neurons die
Not sending proper signals
slurred speech
cognitive impairment
behavioral impairment
Respiratory system
inability to breathe
death
respiratory insuffiency
Muscular System
Muscle weakness
muscle atrophy
Stiff muscles
muscle twitching
difficulty walking
hand weakness
Digestive System
trouble swallowing
excessive choking
Direct Cause
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) kills motor neurons
motor neurons in the part of the brain governing voluntary movements are destroyed in ALS
large cells of the spinal cord that send nerve fibers out to control the muscles
Progressive nervous system disease that affects the motor neurons: upper and lower motor neurons
Causing loss of muscle control
progressive degeneration of the motor neurons in ALS eventually leads to their death
No one knows exactly why the motor neurons are dying in the disease
treatments
Medications
Riluzole
shown to increase the life expectancy by 3-6 months
Edaravone
slowing the decline of that loss of function is important
therapies
breathing care
mechanical ventilation
physical therapy
address pain, walking, mobility, bracing
help with cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength and range
reduce pain and help muscles function at their best
occupational therapy
help with self care
speech therapy
help with communication
alphabet board or pen and paper
provide special devices like a tablet
Nutritional Support
eating foods easier to swallow
ALS will eventually lead for individual to get a feeding tube
Indirect Cause
Heredity
50-50 chance of developing the disease
genetic mutations or sporadically
Age
most common between 40 and mid 60s
In women after menopause
Military Service
Gulf War Veteran
higher risk of ALS
Not clear what triggers: chemicals, traumatic injuries, viral infections or intense exertion
Digestive System
esophagus
stomach
digestive system
help with food digestion
Respiratory
lungs
diaphragm
Respiratory system
exchange of gas
Muscular System
muscle tissue
Tracts
ascending tracts
spinocerebellar
spinal cord and thalamus
descending tracts
vestibulospinal tracts
balance
corticospinal tract
cortex
groups are myelinated axons that travel in the same direction
Spinal Cord
Central nervous System
gray matter
neuron cell bodies, dendrites and unmyelinated axons
white matter
myelinated axons
cross section spinal cord
central canal
dorsal root ganglion
white matter funiculi
ventral gray horns
Meninges
dura mater
arachnoid mater
pia mater
vertebral foramen
spinal cord
help signals throughout the body
gray horns
dorsal gray horn
interneurons
receiving input from somatic sensory
receiving input from visceral sensory neurons
processing temperature sensations
lateral gray horn
Visceral motor (automatic) neurons
setting your heat rate
ventral gray horn
somatic motor neurons
moving fingers
tracts
ascending tracts
sensory tracts
receptors through the body collect information
to brain from the body
3 neurons
first - neuron has receptors and brings information to the spinal cord
second
interneuron in the dorsal horn of spinal fluid
third
neuron in the thalamus that connects with cerebral cortex
Spinothalmic tracts
descending tracts
motor tracts
motor neurons in the brain give directions
skeletal muscles
2 neurons
upper motor neuron
brain or brain stem
lower motor neuron
neuron that synapses with the muscle
Corticospinal Tract
direct meaning it starts in the brain
Vestibulospinal tract
indirect meaning it starts in the brainstem
helps keep body balance